Warnock admits to nerves before promotion

Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock admitted he was nervous prior to the announcement of their promotion to the English Premier League.

QPR’s automatic promotion placing had already been secured prior to the Championship’s final day, but a 15-point deduction was hanging over their heads courtesy of a potential offence in the signing of Argentine midfielder ¬Alejandro Faurlin.

But the Football Association cleared the club of any wrongdoing prior to their final clash in the Championship, which they lost 2-1 to Leeds, ensuring them of automatic promotion to the Premier League.

“It was nervous (on Saturday), football is nervous. It’s all about nerves really. But we’ve had a great season and definitely deserve to be where we are,” Warnock said.

“I think it was tinged with a little bit of sadness, but you can’t say anything. When you know all the facts, I expected the result that we got if I’m being honest.”

Looking ahead to their season in the English top flight, Warnock said the Premier League had become more even across the board, evident in the closeness of both the title and relegation battles.

“I think what’s happened this year with the top clubs, although it’s the same ones there, is that there have been more difficult games for them. They’ve all improved in general,” the 62-year-old Englishman said.

“Manchester United winning only five games away from home is unheard of and they are going to be champions. So it’s become more difficult and I think that’s a credit to all the other teams, I think they’ve all strengthened.”

Warnock warned the club would not splurge in their promotion season, rather try and maintain consecutive seasons in the Premier League on a budget.

“I don’t know. We’re going to look to improve the squad but we won’t be spending fortunes, even though I know people think we are,” Warnock said.

“We’ve been quite thrifty so far and I imagine that to carry on throughout the summer,” he said.